Fire destroys home

Photo by Laura Austin

Firefighters catch their collective breath before going back into a burning home in the 1800 block of West Welcome Avenue on Aug. 9. Five Kern County Fire Department engines, 22 personnel and one water tender battled the blaze, which had progressed from two bedrooms to the attic by the time crews arrived. The team had the fire out in an hour. Approximately $250,000 damage was done to the 3,000-square-foot single-story family residence. Also participating were the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Ridgecrest Police and Southern California Edison. The cause of the fire is under investigation.